New Amusements Open Another World

ENTERTAINMENT - ON THE TOWN

September 15, 1995

A thin fog creeps through the twisting corridors of the dark, eerie arena like a ghostly apparition. Beams of light cut the air, music pulsates through an expansive sound system and a small army of combatants scrambles to get an optimal vantage point, listening closely to the signals from their computerized laser shields to start the game.

The scene looks like an imaginary combat zone, or maybe the set from a science-fiction movie, but this is much more. It's real.

Laser Action Kissimmee, 4555 W. U.S. Highway 192 across from JungleLand, is one of several family amusement centers opening in Osceola County. Joining an arcade at Old Town and a maze nearby, the facility could become one of the area's more interesting to-do's.

The 17,000-square-foot attraction features a large competition area where up to 40 players can join in a high-tech shooting game similar to the laser-tag sport that is growing in popularity across the country.

Participants are first registered into a game computer, briefed about the rules and geared up with lightweight combat vests. A laser gun is attached to each vest with a power cord. In addition, a small computerized shield on the vest detects when the player is hit or hits another with the laser beam.

During play, the shield signals each hit and the beginning and end of each session with flashing lights and a digitized voice. When the game is over, the players use the guns to download information to the computer, and each receives a detailed printout with score and shooting average.

''Laser action is a safe and really fun combat game for ages 9 to 90,'' said manager Greg Freeman. ''It's a great place to bring the family for a lot of fun, and you don't have to worry about the kids getting hurt.''

Adding to the game, Laser Action provides a mazelike playing field with smoke machines, spaceships, programmable lights and several surprises to keep players on their toes.

Owners Daniel and Arlette Lowery said that as the business becomes more popular, they hope to create laser-tag leagues for players to track their rankings and devise different games. When that is started, the game computer can modify the rules for teams and league play.

''The game is really addictive,'' said Daniel Lowery. ''Once you're in there, it's just like our slogan says - it is '100 percent adrenalin.' ''

Aside from the laser arena, the facility includes 11 billiard tables and a collection of video games, snack machines and electronic dartboards.

Laser Action is expected to open within a week. Hours will be from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. weekdays with varied times on weekends. The cost of the laser game will be about $7 for 20 minutes, and the business will offer discount coupons in local publications. Those interested can call (407) 397-1159 or (407) 397-7617.

Opening within a month at 4623 W. U.S. Highway 192, less than a mile from Laser Action, will be A Mazing Place - a maze with an international flair.

The outdoor facility, which measures 12,000 square feet, is a large labyrinth in which guests are required to reach eight different checkpoints before finding their way out. The checkpoints will represent different countries and each will have a corresponding flag and demographic information.

It also will have an elevated observation deck to view people fumbling their way through the twisting corridors. For those who get lost, the plastic walls will have enough clearance space from the floor to allow them to either crawl underneath or see their way out.

Andy Hiller, president of Amazing Places Corp., said the site has been designed with several special features, including access for the disabled.

''One thing we are quite proud of is that this is one of few attractions that a person in a wheelchair can really take advantage of,'' he said. ''The corridors are five feet wide, which allows them room to move.''

Hiller said the walls can be moved to create a new maze each week. Most visitors will need roughly 40 minutes to find the checkpoints and the exit, so many may want to visit another of the attraction's features before they enter. ''There is a sign at the entrance of the maze that reminds people to use the bathroom before they go in,'' he said.

Admission to A Mazing Place will be $6.95 for adults, $5.95 for kids, and the business will offer discount coupons.

A family attraction that recently opened is the Adventure Zone, an extension of the Happy Days arcade at Old Town. It features bumper cars, video games, a virtual reality game and its own laser-tag area.

The site's wildest attraction, however, is a human slingshot that propels people and whatever they had for lunch 80 feet into the air, going from zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.